Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have commenced an investigation into Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila, who was arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allegedly failing to declare foreign currencies.
The undeclared currencies include US$14,567, £1,030, and CA$40.
According to the EFCC, Sheila was intercepted by operatives of the NCS during a routine check at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Upon arrest, the suspect, who was scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom (UK), claimed she had only $4,000 on her.
The Commission also disclosed that it has commenced an investigation into a parcel containing ZW$101 trillion (equivalent to ₦426,091,066,068.06) and 41,640,000 Vietnamese Dong (equivalent to ₦95,746.52), which was intercepted by officials of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and operatives of the NCS.
During the handover of the suspect and intercepted foreign currencies, the Customs Area Controller at the Command, Comptroller Effiong Harrison, said: “Today, we have two interceptions that we want to handover to the EFCC. And they are coming from two separate places in the Command.
“The first one comes from an area that we may not know so much about, but it is part of our coverage and area of responsibility – that is, NIPOST (Nigerian Postal Service). We intercepted a parcel that contained foreign currencies. In fact, it was through the vigilance and dedication of our officers and NIPOST officials during parcel examination that the discovery was made – someone was trying to bring in a load of currencies into Nigeria.
“But it is our responsibility to ensure that such doesn’t happen. So, we have, today, a parcel that will be investigated by the appropriate agency of government.”
M.A. Timta, an operative of the EFCC who received the suspect and the intercepted parcel, assured the NCS that the Commission would expedite investigations into both the parcel and the suspect’s case, as well as pursue prosecution.
Timta commended the Service for its sustained efforts in tackling illegal financial activities in Nigeria.
